Sunday, July 31
Police Investigating Two Deaths in Fairfax Fire as Murder-Suicide
Fairfax County Police have now released the name of Roy Eugene Rumsey, 58, as one of the two dead bodies that were found during a house fire in Fairfax on July 27.
Friday, July 29
Chantilly Home Sales: June, 2016
In June, 2016, 32 homes sold between $916,000-$194,000 in the Chantilly area.
Chantilly Home Sales: June, 2016
Centreville Home Sales: June, 2016
In June, 2016, 134 Centreville homes sold between $1,070,000-$183,000.
Centreville Home Sales: June, 2016
Senior Dogs: Untold Stories
Like many geriatrics, senior dogs in our area are illness survivors and living with a range of conditions including arthritis, hip dysplasia and chronic back pain.
Thursday, July 28
Fairfax County: Non-profit Our Daily Bread Changes Name To Britepaths
Fairfax-based non-profit Our Daily Bread has changed its name to Britepaths.
Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Springfield: Pokémon Go event hosted at Sully government center
With Fairfax County Police officers blocking traffic, dozens of community members crossed Stonecroft Boulevard in front of the Sully District government center in Chantilly.
Fairfax County: School Board Work Session Draws Transgender Regulation Protesters
The Fairfax County School Board was scheduled to discuss new regulations for addressing daily life at school for students who identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming at July 21 work session held at the school system’s Gatehouse Road headquarters in Falls Church.
Wednesday, July 27
Centreville Snapshot: Scouting
Twenty-eight scouts and nine adults from Boy Scout Troop 30 of Centreville, attended Camp Pipsico Scout Reservation in Spring Grove, Va., the week July 10-16.
Snapshot: ‘Cancerversary’ Dinner
Nikki Ferraro, (holding microphone, center), the founder of Bite Me Cancer, is surrounded by fellow cancer survivors during the cake cutting at Bite Me Cancer’s “Cancerversary” Dinner, April 23, at the Tower Club in Tysons Corner.
A Tale of Drug-Dealing, Money and Murder
On March 15, 2001, Centreville High grad Danny Petrole, 21, was shot and killed outside his Bristow townhouse. The crime involved drug-dealing and money, and the shooter – Chantilly High grad Owen Barber IV, 21, who pleaded guilty in court – received 38 years in prison.
Wolfe Sentenced to 41 Years in Prison
Convicted of the March 2001 murder of Danny Petrole.
Except for the prosecutors, no one involved in Justin Wolfe’s murder sentencing last week left the courtroom happy. The victim’s family still grieves a son, Wolfe’s family continues to have a hole in it and Wolfe, himself, has decades more to serve in prison.
WFCM Seeks Community’s Help Providing Backpacks
Hoping to furnish them for 2,000 local schoolchildren.
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is once more collecting new backpacks for local students in need. It hopes to provide nearly 2,000 backpacks for qualified, low- income children attending 23 different schools in the Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high school pyramids, plus Mountain View High.
Tuesday, July 26
Senator Kaine Hosts Interfaith Forum
Senator Tim Kaine spends last day before VP pick showing why Virginia matters.
No one knew it at the time, but Sen. Timothy M. Kaine’s (D-Va.) public appearances moderating roundtables in Northern Virginia last Thursday, July 21 would be his last day of relative political anonymity before being catapulted to political prominence 24 hours later as Hillary Clinton’s pick for her Vice-Presidential running mate.
Thursday, July 21
Fairfax County: School Transgender Regulations in Limbo
Fairfax County Public Schools are holding off on implementing new regulations regarding transgender and gender nonconforming students.
Fairfax County: Support for Police Auditor, Civilian Review Panel
Supervisors discuss independent oversight recommendations from Ad Hoc Commission.
Details of an independent auditor for Fairfax County police and a civilian panel to review cases of alleged FCPD abuse of authority or misconduct are still being hammered out. However there was general agreement among County Supervisors at the July 19 Public Safety Committee meeting that they are in favor of moving forward with the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission to create both entities for accountability.
Wednesday, July 20
Food Truck Full of Temptations: Ed Hardy
Ed Hardy’s truck has recently been parked in Reston at lunchtimes, but often travels around Fairfax County to feed the hungry.
Centreville/Chantilly Brief: State Police Charge Three in Incidents along I-66
Virginia State Police have charged three men on various charges in relation to two separate incidents at the same scene along Interstate 66 near Exit 52 in Fairfax County on June 29.
Virginia Run Achieves Two Victories
The Virginia Run Riptide achieved two victories during the fourth week of the NVSL summer season with a win at Wednesday’s Divisional Relay Carnival and a hard-fought win of 232 to 188 over the Cottontail Cobias on Saturday.
Sports Brief: Softball Umpires Needed
The Northern Virginia Softball Umpires Association is seeking individuals interested in becoming certified umpires for high school and recreational fast pitch softball in the Northern Virginia area.
SSTs Have Six Relays Continuing to All-Stars
The week of July 10 was full of records for the Sully Station SSTs. It was a beautiful week with scattered storms, and relay carnival, which is a day for relays from every team in the division to try to get times to go to all-stars.
Centreville: Pirates Complete Circle of Swim life
Chantilly Poplar Tree Pirates Swim Team completed the circle of swim life at a Monday night B meet on July 11.
Centreville Snapshot: Youth Tour
The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative took five high school students who live in NOVEC's service territory on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 12-16 during the 52nd Annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour.
Centreville Snapshot: Lineman’s Rodeo
Linemen from Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative were among those earning top honors at the 14th Annual Gaff-n-Go Lineman’s Rodeo last month at Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Va.
Centreville Snapshot: Funds from Walmart
Our Daily Bread Board of Directors Member Catherine Read (second from right) and Programs Director Christina Garris (center) receive a $30,000 grant check from Walmart Market Managers.
Centreville Letter: Financial Literacy – A Big Concept for Small Learners
Letter to the Editor
As parents, we often contemplate new ways to support if not catapult our children into exciting and memorable experiences both academically and socially, all in the name of making them "well-rounded."
Park Discovery Trail Leads Children to Presidential History, Prizes
Which U.S. President made a daring escape from the enemy through Riverbend Park?
Chantilly Snapshot: ‘Drive to 100’
Latia Ferguson Reyes gets the keys to her new ride at Brown’s Chantilly Mazda at 4155 Auto Park Circle during the “Drive to 100” event hosted by Mazda and Vehicles for Change. The event in May awarded refurbished Mazdas to families along the East Coast.
Chantilly Snapshot: Literacy Project
The Centreville High School National Honor Society participated in a literacy project to benefit the students at Brookfield Elementary School. They raised funds to purchase each student at Brookfield in kindergarten through 6th grade a new book for their summer reading.
Chantilly Brief: Felon Sentenced for Buying Firearms at Gun Show in Chantilly
Josiah John Weiss, 36, of Suitland, Md., was sentenced last month to 96 months in prison for possession of firearms as a convicted felon. Weiss was found guilty by a federal jury on March 9.
Chantilly: Pirates and Mermaids and Parrots, Oh, My!
Chantilly High presents funny and swashbuckling children’s play.
An 8-year-old boy’s pirate adventures on the high seas will elicit laughter in Chantilly High’s children’s show, “Pirates! Theodore Thud and the Quest for Weird Beard.”
Chantilly: Jason Deal Selected as Officer of Month
Each month, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Sully District Police Station honors one of the station’s officers for his or her outstanding service to the police and to the community. And Officer Jason Deal was selected as Officer of the Month for May.
‘76 Trombones Led the Big Parade’
Centreville resident has a leading role in “The Music Man.”
When fast-talking Harold Hill comes to River City, Iowa with a grand plan to create the finest band in America, the townspeople are thrilled. But straight-laced librarian Marian Paroo thinks it’s all just a scam.
Editorial: Voting, for Former Felons and Others
In a Democracy, we’re best served by more voter participation.
Today, the Virginia Supreme Court will hear an expedited challenge to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s (D) restoration of the voting and civil rights of more than 200,000 Virginians who were convicted of felonies, served their time and completed any supervised release, parole or probation requirements. The restoration of voting rights moves Virginia into the mainstream.
Thursday, July 14
Fairfax County: Four Arrested at Natasha McKenna Protest
Racial justice group calls for Sheriff Kincaid to fire deputies.
Four demonstrators were arrested Monday morning at a protest outside the Fairfax Courthouse for the February 15 in-custody death of Natasha McKenna.
Fairfax County: School Board Receives New Transgender Regulations
Discussion moves to a work session
Friday afternoon, July 1, Fairfax County School Board members each received an email containing new operating regulations regarding transgender and gender nonconforming students.
Wednesday, July 13
Four Arrested at McKenna Protest
Racial justice group calls for Sheriff Kincaid to fire deputies.
Four protesters were arrested Monday morning at a protest outside the Fairfax Courthouse over the February 2015 in-custody death of Alexandria resident Natasha McKenna.
Looking Back at Two State Championships
Just days before the end of the 2015-16 school year, Westfield High School juniors Sean Eckert, Rehman Johnson and seniors Cole Huling, Hank Johnson and Tyler Scanlon gathered for a photo with basketball head coach Doug Ewell and football head coach Kyle Simmons.
Riptide Passed by the Cruisers
On a hot, humid July morning, the Virginia Run Riptide traveled to Fairfax Station for their third NVSL Division 4 meet of the season.
Piranhas Face Country Club Hills
The Sully Station II Piranhas battled Country Club Hills in the third meet of the season on July 9. Swimmers cheered on teammates throughout the morning and gave a valiant effort in the blazing sunshine before ultimately falling, 241-179.
Faircrest Cyclones Swim into First Season
Area’s newest swim team embraces its community’s diversity.
The newest swim team in the area, the Faircrest Cyclones, located between Fairfax, Chantilly, Clifton and Centreville, is gathering a large following of parents and members in their first season.
Letter: Support WFCM In Its Move
Letter to the Editor
It is with great excitement that I am writing to announce that WFCM will be moving to our new location on Aug. 1. We have had a great three years at our current location on Metrotech Drive, but we are delighted to move to a bigger, more flexible space that will better serve our clients.
Chantilly Snapshot: New Restaurant
Local franchise owner Michel Lusakueno has opened Chantilly’s newest stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurant at 3454 Historic Sully Way on June 30, bringing 80 new jobs. Twenty-four hours before the grand opening, guests lined up to be one of the first 100 adults through the door to win a year of free Chick-fil-A meals.
Chantilly Letter: Action on CO2 Emissions
Letter to the Editor
Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s stand on current environment issues seems to have been getting tough criticism throughout his first two years as governor.
Making History Come to Life
For Andrew Dilworth, Rocky Run’s “iWitness to History Day” came full circle. “I went to this program as a student here,” he said. “I’m a substitute teacher at Rocky Run this year and I was hired full-time as an eighth-grade civics teacher for the coming year.”
Rocky Run Presents iWitness to History
Learning about the past from those who lived it.
Before Rocky Run Middle seventh-graders headed off for summer, they traveled back to the past via their school’s “World War II Oral History Day.” And this year’s event, the 15th annual, even had a new name, “iWitness to History Day.”
‘You’re the One that I Want’
Westfield Summer Stage presents the musical, “Grease.”
Break out the black leather jackets and poodle skirts — Westfield Summer Stage is presenting the musical, “Grease.” It features a cast and crew of more than 80 students from middle and high schools across the county, including Westfield, Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax high schools.
Tuesday, July 12
Editorial: Be Part of Our Annual Community Guide
Share tips in upcoming Newcomers and Community Guides.
The Connection’s annual Newcomers and Community Guides will publish Aug. 24 with a deadline of Aug. 17.
Thursday, July 7
Fairfax County: School Board Renews Superintendent Garza’s Contract
Fairfax County Public Schools has secured four more years with Dr. Karen Garza at the helm as superintendent. The School Board members voted unanimously to extend her contract through June 30, 2020 at their June 30 meeting.
Wednesday, July 6
Snapshot: UPC Presents Hardison Award
Oakton High School junior Matt Bocharnikov and Westfield High School junior Avaanti Sridhar were presented with the third annual Cliff Hardison Youth Leadership Award established in memory of the late West Potomac High School principal.
Snapshot: Becoming Leaders
The Zeta Upsilon Lambda (ZUL) Chapter, Fairfax County, of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., through its Joyce Gillespie Harrington Educational and Charitable Foundation, Inc., sponsored two area high school students, DaSean Gallishaw of Westfield High School and Joseph Randiki of Laurel High School, to participate as Alpha Ambassadors in the 2016 Leadership Development Institute (LDI) program.
Bite Me Cancer Presents Thyroid Cancer Research Grant
Bite Me Cancer, a national nonprofit based in Fairfax that supports teenagers with cancer and raises funds for thyroid cancer research, named Dr. Irene Min of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York as the recipient of the group’s third research grant.
Pirates Vanquish Cottontail Cobia
The Pirates of Poplar Tree went fishing for Cottontail Cobia in their NVSL Division 4 season opener on June 25 and, after a several hours-long battle, successfully landed their catch and emerged victorious.
Chantilly: Viewing Party for Chloe Hicks
Chloe Hicks, who is part of the Virginia Run Riptide swim team since she was 5, competed in the 200 Back Stroke at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. on Friday, July 1.
Obituary: John “Jack” Carroll Stinson
John “Jack” Carroll Stinson, former president of the Stuart-Mosby Historical Society, died on June 28, 2016; he was 85.
Brief: Title Changes, Role Expands
Effective July 1, Animal Control Officers have a new title: Animal Protection Police Officer. County officials, working in conjunction with state delegates, have authorized the title reclassification, which expands the officers’ current role to include full law enforcement scope and authority.
Chantilly Letter: Celebrating Being American
Letter to the Editor
As an American Muslim, I would not partake in Easter since it is a Christian holiday.
Chantilly Letter: Reading Begins at Home
Letter to the Editor
As a current teacher, I observe children who develop literacy skills at home achieve in school. Studies show home environment has an impact on children’s beginning reading skills.
A Safe Place To Buy and Sell
Sully District Police Station now has an Exchange Zone.
Purchases made online can sometimes be a dicey proposition. When it comes time to meet an unknown buyer or seller to exchange an item for money, it’s best to do so in a safe environment.
Helping People in Crisis
Police learn to de-escalate situations.
Mental illness is a bigger problem in the U.S. than most people realize, and police come in contact with many people suffering from some form of it.
Commentary: Time to Stand Up to Anti-Women Regulations
On Monday, June 27, the Supreme Court of the United States made the right decision to find the Texas TRAP laws unconstitutional.
Tuesday, July 5
Pushups For Charity Challenge Benefits Veterans
Local veteran opens gym, Rebel Fit USA.
Strategies for Preventing Concussions This Summer
Local physician is pioneering traumatic brain injury treatment.
Summer has been dubbed “trauma season” by health care professionals.
Letter: Protect Homeowners, and School Budget
To the Editor
Regarding John Knight's letter ("Seniors Unfairly Tapped for School Budget") in the last week’s Connection: While the sentiment is nice and I would join anyone in complaining about the burden of taxes being put on all the homeowners; in my opinion businesses and developers get away with tax breaks.
Editorial: Hungry in Summer
There are hungry children in Northern Virginia, more so in summertime.
Summer for most children in Northern Virginia is a time of fun and activities, camp and vacation, trips to the pool and possibly to the library.